CORRESPONDENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19601, 28 June 1926, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

THE CHURCH CRISIS (To the Editor.) Sir.—l am glad that your correspond* ent “True Believer” did not subscribe himself “True Follower” because we should have found it harder to believe his sincerity. The Old Book, tolls of two “true believers” who would have made those who differed from them “sit up” by calling down fire, from Heaven to consume them, but they were graciously reminded by 'The Master, “ A’c know not what spirit ye are of,” that they had not even begun to walk in that “more excellent way’’ which He came to teach by example. If we true believers would but spend more time in the study of the text, book of life, we should learn that the weapons of our warfare are not chrnal, but spiritual, and that the very essence of the Christian life is the spirit of love and gentleness, the mind of Christ, always regardful of the feelings and the rights of others. It is only by exhibiting this spirit that we, true believers, ca never hope to be true witnesses to the world that the grdat God of Love sent His Son into the world to reveal Himself, not through the sacraments of the church, but in the livei of true believers and followers of Him who came that all men might be made one with Himself. How far the world is yet off from attainment to this grant ideal is easily seen in the strife mistrust among men the world r. If we Christians arc sincerely desir ous of bringing about a happier stalo of affairs in our own Empire and the world at lUrgc, we must put our ow .i house in order first. Begin at. Jerusalem, begin at home, begin in the individual life. “By this shall all men know that ye are Aly disciples.” Error in doctrine must be exposed, am/ when it is fundamental, a letter such tis that of “H.AV.” is perhaps justifiable and salutary, but lot us avoid all bitterness and seek to live by tbo Golden Rule. AVith apologies Thomas Bracken I will thus: — “O God, that men would > •■‘U.lc clearer, 1 ‘And judge less harshly where cannot see. “0 God, thtit men would draw nctMW to Thee “They’d be nearer one another, And understood.” —I am, etc., H.T. Wanganui. June 25. 1026.